Electric heating apparatus.



F. THORNTON, JR. ELECTRIC HEATING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5.1913.

WITNESSES:

INZENTOR/Qr ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC.

FRANK THORNTON, JR., 0]? PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T0 WESTING- HOUSE ELECTRIC AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYL- VANIA.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

Application filed .Tune 5, 1913. Serial No. 771,858.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FRANK THORNTON, Jr., a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Electric Heating Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to electric heating apparatus and it has special reference to instantaneous liquid-heaters.

The object of my invention is to provide an inexpensive and efficient liquid-heater which shall embody features adapted to insure continuity of service and to obviate the danger of damage by inexperienced operators.

Heretofore, it has been customary practice to connect liquid-heaters directly to the source of supply, and, consequently, they have had no protection against sudden changes of pressure or failure of the supply. As a result of failure of the supply, the heat ing element was often out.

According to my invention, I provide a practically self-protecting instantaneous liquid-heater. In brief, I employ a reservoir which is disposed intermediate the supply inlet andthe heater and which embodies a float for automatically operating an inlet valve to maintain a constant supply of liquid. In addition, a spring-actuated trigger is mechanically associated with the float to normally hold closed a heating circuit switch that is biased to the open position. At a predetermined low level, however, the trigger releases the switch to the open position, thereby preventing all possibility of burning out the heating element.

In the accompanying drawing, the single figure is a sectional view of an apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention.

Referring to the drawing, the device shown comprises an electric heater apparatus 1, an associated liquid-reservoir 2, an inlet valve 3 attached to a liquid-level float 4, an electrical switching device 5 for the heater circuit and an interlocking mechanism 5.

The electric heater apparatus 1 may be of any suitable type, preferably having a centrally disposed electric heater 6 that is connected in circuit with the switching device 5, and a surrounding thin, annular liquiddamaged or burned heating chamber 7 to insure rapid heating. It will be understood that the specific structure of the heater 6, is not material to my present invention and no further description thereof is deemed necessary. A suitable spout or outlet 8 is provided at the upper end, and a tube 9, or other means of.connection to the resei voir 2, is located at the lower end of the apparatus 1.

The reservoir 2 may be of any convenient form for containing a suitable amount of a liquid 2 and has an opening in the bottom wall 10 for receiving a pipe 11 that is connected to the source of liquid supply.

The stem 3" of the valve 3 has a lost-motion connection with one end of the arm 12 of the float 4 and the valve is adapted to cover or uncover the supply pipe opening to the reservoir 2, according to the position of the float 4 and, consequently, the liquid level in the reservoir.

The float 4 may be of any suitable type and its arm 12 is pivotally mounted at 13 upon a wall of the reservoir 2 or other suitable supporting member and has a downwardly-disposed lug 14 located intermediate the float 4 and the pivotal point 13 and adjacent to the latter, for a purpose hereinafter described.

The switching device 5 for the heater circuit comprises switch jaws 15 mounted upon, and suitably insulated from the top wall 16 of the reservoir 2, and a cooperating movable switch blade 17 having a bell crank insulated portion 18 that is pivotally mounted upon a bracket 19 projecting from a reservoir wall or otherwise. A spring 20 is attached to the bell crank 18 and serves to bias the movable blade 17 to the open position. A hooked ear 21 on the lower side of the insulating portion 18 is provided for a purpose to be specified.

The interlocking mechanism 5 comprises a spring-actuated trigger 22 loosely mounted at 13 adjacent to the arm 12 and provided with a catch 23 at its upper end for engaging the hooked ear 21 of the movable jaw 17 and normally holding the latter in closed position. However, if, for any reason, the liquid level falls below a predetermined point, the lug 14 on the arm 12 of the float 4 is thereupon adapted to engage the lower end of the trigger 22 and force the catch 23 out of engagement with the ear 21, thereby permitting the spring 20 to open the switch and,-consequently, discontinue the supply of heat to the heating chamber 7 and making it impossible for the switch 5 to remain the positions shown in the drawings, the

normal operation of'my device maybe described as follows: The liquid 2 in the heating'cha'mber' 7is heated and projected through the spout 8, in accordance with the Well known percolating principle. 'Immediately, more liquid flows in from the reservoir 2 through the tube 9. As the liquid level in the reservoir 2 falls, the float 4 falls also and, in consequence, causes the valve 3 to uncover the'supply pipe opening to the reservoir, thereby admitting a fresh supply of liquid. The rising level of the liquid raises the float 4 and, as a result, causes the valve 3 to close. The operation is repeated until the switch 5-is opened, either by hand or automatically, as hereinbefore described.

I do not wish to be restricted to the specific structural details herein set forth, but desire. that only such limitations shall be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims. a

I claim as my invention:

1. In- 11 electrically-heated apparatus, the combination with a liquid-heating chamber, of means for supplying a normally constant amount of liquid to the said chamber and automatic means dependent upon the level of the incoming liquid for discontinuing the a supply of heat to said chamber I under predetermined'conditions. p 2. In anelectrically-heated. apparatus, the

combination with a liquid-heating chamber,

of means for supplying a normally constant amount of liquid to the said chamber and means dependent .upon the level of the in- I .boming liquid to said chamber forregulat ing the liquid supply and for causing a discontinuation of the. supply of heat thereto underpredetermined conditions. I

3. In an electrically-heated apparatus,' thecombination with a liquid-heating chamber, of a reservoir connected therewith, means for supplying a normally constant amount of liquid to the said reservoir, and buoyant 7 means responsive to the liquid level in said reservoir for causing discontinuation of the supply of heat to said chamber determined conditions.

- 4. In an electrically-heated apparatus, the combination with aliquid-heating chamber,

under preof are'servoir connected therewith, a buoyant member responsive to the liquidlevel in said reservoir, a heating-circuit switch dis- 4 posed near said reservoir, and a resilientlyactuated member mechamcally associated with said buoyant member and adapted to cause said switch to open under predetermined conditions.

5; In an electrically-heated apparatus, the

combination with a liquid-heating chamber,

of a reservoir connected therewith, a buoyant member responsive to the liquid level in said reservo1r, 'a heating-circuit switch disposed near said reservoir and biased to the open position, and a spring-actuated trigger mechanically associated with said buoyant member and detachably associated with said switch and adapted to release thelatterfto the open position under predetermined conditions.

of a single device for regulating the supply of liquid to said chamber, and for discontinuing the supply of heat thereto under predetermined conditions.

7. In an electrically-heated apparatus, the v.combination with a liquid-heating chamber, of a single automatic device for maintaining a constant supply of liquid to said chamber, .and for discontinuing the supply of heat thereto under. predetermined conditions. 8. In an electrically-heated apparatus, the combination with a liquid-heating chamber, ofmeans dependent upon the level of the incoming liquid to said chamber for maintaining a constant supply thereto, and means associated with said first means. for discontinuing the supply of heat'to said chamber under predetermined conditions.

' 9. In an electrically-heated apparatus, the

combination with a liquid-heating chamber, of a reservoir connected therewith, buoyant means dependentv upon the liquid level in inlet valve; associated with said "reservoir,

buoyant means mechanically associated with said valve and adapted to operate the same to maintain a constant supply of liquid to said chamber, and a spring-actuated trig or associated with said buoyant means or causing a discontinuation of the supply of lli heat to said chamber'under predetermined.-

conditions. 11. In a heating-apparatus, the "comb1- nation with an instantaneous liquid-heater,

of a reservoir connected therewithyan'inlet valve associated with said reservoir, buoyant means mechanically associated with said valveand dependent upon the liquid level in said reservoir for maintaining a constant supply of liquid to said chamber, an elecv trical switch for the healing circuit mounted adjacent to said reservoir, and a springactuated trigger mechanically associated with said buoyant means for opening said switch under predetermined conditions.

12. In a heating apparatus, the combina tion with an instantaneous liquid heater, of a reservoir connected therewith, an inletvalve associated with said reservoir, buoyant means mechanically associated with said valve and dependent upon the liquid level in said reservoir for'maintaining-a constant supply of liquid to said chamber, an electrical switch for the heating circuit mounted adjacent to said reservoir and biased to the open position, and a spring-actuated trigger mechanically associated with said buoyant means and detachably associated with said switch and adapted to release the latter to the open position under predetermined conditions.

13-. In a heating apparatus, the combination with an instantaneous liquid heater,

of a reservoir connected therewith, an inlet valve disposed within said'reservoir, buoyant trical switch for the heating circuit mounted adjacent to said reservoir, a spring-actuated trigger mechanically associated with said buoyant means and detachably associatedwith said switch and adapted to be disengaged from the latter under predetermined low liquid-supply conditions, and a spring secured to and adapted to bias said switch to the open position except under normal liquid-supply conditions. a

In testimonywhereof, II have hereunto subscribed my name this 27th day of May 1913, v

' FRANK THORNTON, JR.

' Witnesses HAROLD B. TAYLOR, B. B, HINES. 

